Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi, joined by representatives from the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army as well as government officials, announced his plan for providing more than 100 evacuees with temporary housing in Nassau County and called on local residents to donate to the Katrina relief efforts and open their homes to those in need.

“When a tragedy of this scope befalls our nation, it is everyone’s duty to help however they can and providing housing to victims of this tragedy is one way to do that,” Suozzi said. “Nassau residents have a long history of charity and nowhere is that generosity needed more than those areas affected by this horrific event. I strongly encourage everyone to give what they can for our fellow citizens and to keep them in our thoughts and prayers.”

Suozzi’s Suffolk County counterpart, Steve Levy, announced a similar plan for that county’s efforts in Hauppauge. Levy and Suozzi have been jointly coordinating their housing relief efforts over the last several days. Hotels, motels and religious institutions have already stepped up to offer assistance, Suozzi said.

“A hurricane of this magnitude is a true act of nature, something totally beyond our control. We can make a difference, though, by responding to those who so desperately need our help now,” said American Red Cross Chief Executive Officer Frank Cassano.

More than 500 square miles in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida have been devastated by one of the strongest storms in US history. Entire neighborhoods have been rendered uninhabitable and approximately half a million people have been made homeless. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, have perished.

There is currently a special link on the Nassau County website (www.nassaucountyny.gov in the SPOTLIGHT section regarding Operation HELP. This page will provide information from the Office of Emergency Management on which organizations are accepting donations. There is also information on what Nassau County residents can do to prepare for natural disasters in our area. To offer housing assistance, call 571-6000.

“The devastation in the Gulf Coast region is being felt throughout the country,” Suozzi said. “It is up to all of us to help ease the burden of those who have lost the most. “If every county in America would take 150 people, we would have this problem solved. Many hands make light work.”

Currently, charities are saying that the best way for county residents to help is to donate money, instead of food, water or clothing. Charities now accepting donations are listed below.

American Red Cross

www.RedCross.org

1-800-HELP-NOW

The Salvation Army

www.SalvationArmyUSA.org/USNSAHomehtm.

1-800-SAL-ARMY

Lutheran Disaster Response of New York

www.ldrny.org/topnew/topnewskatrina.html

1-866-864-1600

Catholic Charities

www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/news/katrina.cfm

1-800-919-9338

Association of Jewish Family and Children’s Agencies

www.ajfca.org

United Jewish Communities

www.ujc.org

1-877-277-2477

Long Island Cares:

www.licares.org/index.htm

America’s Second Harvest:

www.secondharvest.org

Operation Blessing:

www.ob.org

1-800-730-2537